Sibling Conflict

Conflict happens all the time, even in our family. Perhaps it is no big deal and has little effect on us. As everyone disagrees with each other from time to time the occasional conflict is part of living with brothers and sisters. I am curious about such friction. It has happened regularly during my childhood. I think that conflict between siblings happens in other families. The cause for conflict varies. In my opinion, one such cause is age difference. Once, when I was in secondary school, my younger sister and I shared a bedroom. She’s 7 years younger than me. Her toys were scattered everywhere aroudnt the room. I always had to tidy up every night before she went to bed. I had to read her a story. I did not like doing it. But, if I had not done so, she would have cried and bothered me. Plus, we could not bear one another. We used to quarrel about petty things. Conflict happens when one person is not satisfied with the other, but it has significant effect to sisterhood and family sentiment. After quarreling, we did not talk so much. We were very angry and hated each other by that time. Now things are better. We understand that it is silly to quarrel over little things. The relationship between my younger sister and I is now strong. Instead of quarreling my maturity helps me to work things out. So, when conflict happens: learn to control your anger; determine what it is you are really disagreeing about; call a family conference. If you are in the right, your parents will support you. Conflict is a part of living and sibling conflicts do happen in a family. It will be less confrontational if you can control your feelings and know how to behave with your sibling.

Tok Bias Essay (Gavin Menzies, Jared Diamond, Etc.)

Theory Of Knowledge To what extent can disagreement aid in our understanding of history? October 2012 International School of Curacao Wordcount: 2,691 Historical Disagreements To what extent can disagreement aid in our understanding of history? Disagreement has been present in the world ever since the first biotic and abiotic factors roamed the Earth. In order to understand what the question is asking, we must define its key words. Disagreement is defined as a difference in opinion and diversity.Even though the word disagreement has a negative tone, it does not necessarily have to be bad. Disagreement offers people a different point of view and can help the world’s population improve its understanding of each other. This brings me to the next key word in the question: understanding. Understanding is described as the comprehension of a certain topic and as having a mental grasp on something. People encounter disagreements during discussions, which makes the conversation richer. I find it is important, for every human being, to understand that disagreements are healthy.Without disagreement, there will be too much familiarity and similarity, and life will be lacking adventure and uncertainties. Disagreement and lack of understanding are often, if not always, seen in history. Many wars start because of a disagreement and/or because of the lack of willingness of understanding. History is defined as the study of the past. Much of the study of history is factual. Facts are statements supposedly set in stone and true. From a young age on, children are taught that facts are not to be altered. As they grow up, they find that this is false: history is not entirely set in stone.And that is exactly what this paper will be covering, with the help of Jared Diamond, Galileo Galilei, Gavin Menzies, Fritz Fischer, Charles van Doren, and Reuben Abel. Historiography is the writing of history. According to Reuben Abel, different historiographies are influenced by the history of civilization. This history of civilization is depending on climate, soil, and geography. Geography brings up another historian that helps support that disagreement aids in the understanding of history. Jared Diamond did research on why historiography is different in different continents.He published his findings in a book called â€Å"Guns, Germs, and Steel†. Diamond argued that the gaps in technology and power between human societies are not caused mainly by cultural and racial differences. He states that the geography and ecology of European and Asian landmasses gave the societies there an advantage over those on other continents. Although Diamond’s findings sound realistic, his work was critiqued for ‘factual errors’. Diamond, although criticized, is important to mention in the discussion on how disagreement aids in the understanding of history.His findings may not all be correct, but some are. This shows that there were many different factors playi ng in the different historiographies in different continents in the world. Reuben Abel goes on by stating that the history of civilization is also dependent of race, hereditary ability, and psychological factors. Additionally, it depends on the motif of power and on the theory that history is the history of class struggle. This is an idea taking from Marxism, and the first kind of approach to history: that it is cyclical.Reuben Abel goes on by stating that historiographies should be appraised and assessed, but that there is no crucial experiment that can test the validity of a theory of history. Abel’s claim that â€Å"History is far from being exclusively scientific or factual; it is also a larger part creative† is one I can agree with. History is not just facts. Between the factual sentences, there has to be at least one sentence linking one fact to another. The main reason why Reuben Abel is important to mention in this essay about disagreement aiding the understand ing of history is that humanity has not yet discovered every bit of evidence in the world.Abel mentions that the past is â€Å"inferred from present evidence†. What he means with this is that the evidence found in modern times indicates the past. With this, Abel concludes that present evidence is not complete. Hence, the past remains a mystery. A good example of historical deception is Stalin’s photograph taken with Nikolai Yezhov, which was altered later to remove Yezhov. Disagreement has been present in history and often a source of major (bloody) historical events. A good example of disagreement aiding in the understanding of history is the three different views of any historical event.You have the Orthodox view of a historical event, which is the traditional outlook and interpretation of historical ‘facts’. The second view is the revisionist one. These historians take a second look at the evidence of the first view. The third view is the post-revisioni st view. Historians look at both the traditional and the revisionist view of the same historical event, and conclude ‘something’ based on both views. This is important in discussing how disagreement aids in the understanding of history. The three views obviously have a different opinion of what caused a certain historical event.But this disagreement, that is healthy, provides the world’s population with a better understanding of history. The disagreement gives the world the option to choose which view they support the most. Gavin Menzies is another great example of one who argues the truth of history. He states that it was not Christopher Columbus who discovered America in 1492, but the Chinese. He says that the New World was ‘stumbled upon’ by the Chinese in 1421. This is seven decades prior to Columbus. Menzies is relevant in the discussion about disagreement aiding in the understanding of history, because he questions and challenges history.He has found and states his evidence, in his book, supporting that China had been actively sailing around the world during the 1420’s. The reason why he is arguing the truth of America’s discovery is because he himself found out that many historical Chinese events happened in 1421. This is the main reason why he decided to write a book about the Chinese discovering America before Columbus. Additionally, Menzies is important to mention in the discussion of how disagreement can aid in the understanding of history because of his thesis.His thesis changed the Western age of discovery and altered the common belief that Europe discovered Asia. Some of his arguments include finding Asian jade in Aztec tombs, and allegations of Chinese ideograms found on pre-Columbian pottery. Another argument he uses to defend his statement(s) is the idea of maps that show countries that were not yet discovered by Europe in the 15th century. His third supporting argument is that not only many acade mics in China support him; also academics on the West Coast of America believe Zhang He found North America and Australia during his two-year journey over the ocean, which began in 1421.Menzies re-opened the discussion of truth in relation to history in 2008 when he stated that the Chinese sparked the Renaissance. With his book, Menzies received much criticism. Oxford professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, for example, counters Menzies’ evidence of maps by saying: â€Å"What [Gavin Menzies] doesn’t understand is that maps at that time were as much acts of the imagination as cartography†. Menzies replies by stating that there are over 6,000 references that support the idea of ‘diffusion theory’. This is the idea that there are various alternative theories that discuss America’s discovery.Menzies goes on by stating that it is â€Å"Virtually impossible to still argue that Columbus discovered America, that Cook found Australia or that Magellan was the first to circumnavigate the world†. This is also because evidence was discovered that the Vikings discovered America 500 years prior to Columbus, and 430 years prior to the Chinese. Menzies also states that in the 1400’s, only the Chinese had the capacity and knowledge to explore the world. The article on his website summarizes that Menzies says that the Chinese fleet could have circumnavigated the world four times between 1421 and 1426. The key word to view is could.By using this word, Menzies assumes that the Chinese could circle the world four times, while there is hardly any sign of evidence to support this argument. If Menzies had evidence to support his statement, he would not be using the word could. Another reason why Menzies is significant when looking at disagreement aiding in the understanding of history is because he introduces the idea of ‘diffusion theories’ to a younger audience. He is able to make people question what they were taught a t school and think about their sources. But then this question comes to mind: is Menzies’ goal to prove China’s role in the discovery of America ethical?This means that many historians that studied the topic of discovery should and will be questioned. Many people will be questioning their beliefs and Spain (as well as various other countries) will be suffering under a ‘bad image’. Menzies is making the public question their authority and textbooks. Another man who made the public question their authority and textbooks was German historian Fritz Fischer. In 1961, he introduced that Germany intended to start a (world) war to gain more economic and political dominance over Europe, Africa, and Asia.Germany had a strong sense of colonialism, and found imperialism very important. Fischer, as a revisionist, concludes that therefore Germany is responsible for the start of the Great War, or the First War. His colleagues and the (German) public received his contribu tions with shock as it challenged the traditional view that Germany stumbled into the war, just like the other great European powers did. Younger historians later found truth in some of his evidence and Fischer became Germany’s best-known living historian to the world, until he died on December 1st of 1999.The main reason why Fischer is important to mention in a discussion about disagreement aiding in the understanding of history is because his statement opened up the discussion of the world wars. Before, German people were not allowed to speak of the war, as it was still a very sensitive topic. Fischer blew new life into the topic of Germany’s intentions. The disagreement among him and his supports and other historians has shown that there is more evidence to what humanity is aware of now. Back then; the causes of the Great War were debatable, yet one was seen as set in stone.Now children are taught that there are various causes of the Great War. This disagreement cau sed by Fischer has resulted in a better understanding of the intentions of Germany in the Great War. Another important subject related to disagreement in aiding the understanding of history is truth and reality. Before and somewhat after the Renaissance, religious populations believed that the world was flat, and that one could fall off of it. This was, however, proven wrong by various scientists in BC and in AD. Another example of human deception and ignorance of truth and reality is Charles van Doren’s game show appearance.In January of 1957, he entered a game show and won more than $1 million. It became later known that Van Doren was given the answers to the questions and that he therefore cheated. Van Doren’s cheating shows that even something as simple as a game show, can be manipulated. When viewing this problem on a larger scale, one will make the startling discovery that certain things are happening that ‘ordinary’ people are not and will never be aware of. The manipulation also shows and supports the idea that what happens in the present, and what happened in the past, may be believed to be true, until one knows the actual truth.Sometimes people do not want to have a disagreement about history and present knowledge. A good example of this is the Renaissance, specifically Galileo Galilei. Galileo was famous for his scientific findings and believes. In 1632, he published a book in which he stated that the Earth was moving around the sun. By doing so he was proving the common believe of the Earth being central in the universe, wrong. This angered the Pope, and Galileo was found suspect of heresy and was forced to say that his findings were wrong. Additionally, he became imprisoned and persecuted by the church.Galileo is important to mention in the discussion of disagreement aiding in the understanding of history as he demonstrated the advantages of experimentation and change. He was among those who began the Scientific Revoluti on in Europe. Disagreement is necessary in discussions and in life. Without it, life would be dull and too familiar. Because of disagreement, many people are given the option to choose who and what they want to believe. This is when historiography comes into place. Historiography is the writing of history. There is someone who writes the history that children are taught of in class.This someone can be a traditional Orthodox historian, a revisionist historian, or a post-revisionist. The lessons for history that we, the ordinary and educated part of humanity, are taught were once determined by one of these categories of historians. Their view is what we value as truth and factual. Galileo, for example, was one among many who proved the truth of a flat Earth wrong. He discovered, with a telescope and calculations, that the Earth is round. Although found mad at first, Galileo proved something that was found true by many religious people, false. Another example of this would be Gavin Men zies.He argued that it was not Columbus who discovered America, but the Chinese. Although he receives many critics on his book, he has proven that there is new evidence supporting that Columbus was not the first on America. This has made many people question their textbooks and take a second look at many historical facts. Fritz Fischer has done similar and made Germans and other countries in the world take another look at their textbooks. He did so by stating that Germany is responsible for the First World War, as they promoted imperialism and colonialism. Germany was greedy and therefore to blame for the First World War.Jared Diamond has also made people check their textbooks. He introduced the idea that there are various factors influencing each historical event. Diamond proved that Europe and Asia were able to conquer the New World due to their geography and agriculture. Charles van Doren did not prove anything wrong either, but proved that humanity may be deceived by their lack of knowledge. By entering a game show and winning through cheating, Van Doren has proven that something as simple as a game show can be manipulated. This raises the question of what else is manipulated that humanity is unaware of?To conclude, disagreement is important when looking at history. History is not set in stone, and can never fully be. Reuben Abel said that the evidence found today, determines the history. This is true as much information is still lacking from history, and certain events are still lacking cause and reason, which would be determined by the evidence. The disagreement among historians wakes up humanity. It forces us to study certain events better in order to fully understand all of its possible causes. We will be able to understand history better by viewing different possibilities.The people present during the historical events are gone, and only psychical evidence is left over. From this, historians conclude their professional opinions. Disagreement aids in t he understanding of history as it provides humanity with the possibility of variety. Bibliography BBC News. (2002, October 22). Experts hope to emulate Chinese Columbus. Retrieved September 21, 2012, from BBC News: http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2349929. stm Clark, J. (2012). Did the Chinese beat Columbus to America? Retrieved October 1, 2012, from How Stuff Works: http://history. howstuffworks. om/european-history/chinese-beat-columbus. htm Dictionary. (2012). Disagreement. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from Dictionary: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/disagreement Dictionary. (2012). Fact. Retrieved October 2, 2012, from Dictionary: http://dictionary. reference. com/browse/fact Freudenrich, C. C. (2011). World History. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from Curiosity: http://curiosity. discovery. com/question/how-know-vikings-north-america Gavin Menzies. (2011, August 11). Australia as surveyed by Zheng He fleet voyagers before 1433 -paper delivered in Brisbane, August 2006. Retrieved September 21, 2012, from Gavin Menzies: http://www. gavinmenzies. net/Evidence/5-australia-as-surveyed-by-zheng-he-fleet-voyagers-before-1433-paper-delivered-in-brisbane-august-2006/ Hitt, J. (2012, January 5). Goodbye, Columbus! Retrieved October 1, 2012, from New York Times: http://www. nytimes. com/2003/01/05/magazine/goodbye-columbus. html? pagewanted=all&src=pm Lovgren, S. (2005, July 6). â€Å"Guns, Germs, and Steel†: Jared Diamond on Geography as Power. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from National Geographic: http://news. nationalgeographic. com/news/2005/07/0706_050706_diamond. html Menzies, G. 2011, August 18). At the time only the Chinese had the capacity and knowledge to explore and chart the world. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from Gavin Menzies: http://www. gavinmenzies. net/Evidence/1-at-the-time-only-the-chinese-had-the-capacity-and-knowledge-to-explore-and-chart-the-world/ Merriam-Webster. (2012). Understanding. Retrieved October 2, 2012, from Merriam-W ebster: http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/understanding Saxon, W. (1999, December 10). Fritz Fischer, 91; German Historian Blamed Germany for First War. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from New York Times: http://www. nytimes. om/1999/12/10/world/fritz-fischer-91-german-historian-blamed-germany-for-first-war. html Stanfor Solar Center. (2010). Who was Galileo? Retrieved October 3, 2012, from Stanford Solar Center: http://solar-center. stanford. edu/galileo/ The Free Dictionary. (2012). History. Retrieved October 2, 2012, from The Free Dictionary by Farlex: http://www. thefreedictionary. com/history The Telegraph. (2008, August 1). Gavin Menzies: mad as a snake- or visionary? Retrieved September 21, 2012, from The Telegraph: http://www. telegraph. co. uk/culture/books/3557568/Gavin-Menzies-mad-as-a-snake-or-a-visionary. tml Wikipedia. (2012, October 3). Jared Diamond. Retrieved October 4, 2012, from Wikipedia: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Jared_Diamond ——— ———————————– [ 1 ]. Dictionary, 2012 [ 2 ]. Merriam-Webster, 2011 [ 3 ]. Free Dictionary, 2009 [ 4 ]. Dictionary, 2010 [ 5 ]. National Geography, 2005 [ 6 ]. Wikipedia, 2012 [ 7 ]. The Study of History: What is the Past, 1976 [ 8 ]. The Study of History: What is the Past, 1976 [ 9 ]. The Study of History: What is the Past, 1976 [ 10 ]. New York Times, 2003 [ 11 ]. New York Times, 2003

Are Social Networking Sites Harmful or Safe Research Paper

Are Social Networking Sites Harmful or Safe - Research Paper Example 2. Social Networking Sites Safe or Not? McDowell and Morda included alarming statistics that highlight the level of integration of social networking sites; there are around 500 million users on Facebook and more than 100 million users on MySpace around the globe (1). The accumulation of such an extravagant population of the world on centralized platforms has brought about numerous issues related to privacy and security of the social networking users. The presence of such an extensive population of the world includes all types of users, such as criminals, hackers etc. Earlier, internet users were sensitive about the safeguarding of their information and details about their lives, however, the advent of social networking sites has brought about a sudden trend resulting in influx of personal information and news about one’s daily lives on the respective platforms. Users generally follow the on-going trend and post details about their routines and lives on such sites while being u nconscious of the possible consequences of such conduct. Livingstone and David stated teenagers tend to reveal their personal information more than others since 49% of the teenagers in US disclose their school names and 29% provide their email addresses (6). McDowell and Morda stated that even information about upcoming trips, children’s school information and names can give the malicious intent users information that might prove to harm the users and bring about dangerous instances for them, for example, robbery, kidnapping etc (3). Some may argue that social networking sites can prove to be safer and dangerous instances can be avoided if personal details of such nature are not shared on the platform. However, McDowell and Morda stated that the privacy of an individual is even threatened when others post information regarding others, intentionally or unintentionally, and also that such posting is beyond the control of any individual (3). Livingstone and Brake included figure s regarding the degree of inclusion of youngsters on social networking sites and revealed that almost half of the youngsters in UK between the ages of 8 and 17 possess a social networking profile (2). Similar figures have been recorded for USA as well. The presence of such fragile and young minds on social networking sites is not safe since the content on these platforms may be inappropriate for the young viewers. Livingstone and Brake also revealed that 57% of youngsters had been exposed to pornography and 31% of them had seen violent content on social networking sites (5). Alongside the exposure to inappropriate content, social networking sites have given newer platforms for bullying their peers. Livingstone and Brake included results from a survey that included 12-17 year old participants in the survey. The survey revealed that children were being bullied almost as much online as their real lives since 72% children were being bullied online and 85% were being bullied in school (6 ). It is argued that cyber bulling on social networking sites is not as bad as it has been portrayed since it is only a verbal attack on the victim, rather than a physical one (â€Å"

S.E.VEN (Social Equity Venture Fund) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

S.E.VEN (Social Equity Venture Fund) - Essay Example Lawrence and Huntington, P. Samuel, Editors, "Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress", 2000, Basic Books, New York, NY, ISBN: 0-465-03175-7, Part VII Promoting Change, Fairbanks, Michael, Chapter 20, "Changing the Mind of a Nation: Elements in a Process for Creating Prosperity", p. 269, or 270). Fairbanks is one of the Co-Founders of S.E.VEN which is a philanthropic foundation run by entrepreneurs whose aim is to increase the rate of diffusion of enterprise solutions to global poverty by producing films, books and original research, and we shouldn't neglect his views and advices. Nevertheless, as your political advisor, allow me to present my ideas and recommendations to you concerning entrepreneurship and a few of the most relevant policies in the sphere of economics. First of all, and the most important thing for the people of Rwanda is that we have an entrepreneurial spirit, which is the only thing most developing countries have in common. All other things, all sought and possibly found solutions do not fit all developing countries. Each of these countries' governments should make their own best choice. Since Rwanda is mostly a rural environment, I'd suggest we start encouraging entrepreneurs in establishing their small businesses in the area of agriculture, especially honey production. The figures show that national demand for honey was 1,625 tons in 2006. This demand will increase to 13,789 tons by 2020. We have the capacity and good conditions for organic honey production, which is preferred all over the world. We have to stimulate entrepreneurs to invest in capacity building and organization of beekeepers, meaning replacing old traditional beehives that collect about 7 kg each with new modern ones that collect about 20 kg each. This will re sult in attaining self- sufficiency for honey, even excess amount of honey meant for sale on international markets and of course creating new job positions. I dare suggest beekeepers be given subventions of 30 EUR per beehive. Furthermore in regards to agriculture, I suggest entrepreneurs invest in construction of many small factories all around the country (where fruits and vegetables are raised) for processing and preserving of the biggest part of the produced vegetables and fruits, again not only for domestic markets but meant for export, too, not forgetting of course modernization and mechanization of the farms, and reminding specialized import-export companies of the importance of modern fertilizers, whose use unfortunately is underdeveloped in this country. Another major and I'd say leading government foreign exchange source is export of coffee and tea. In order to increase this foreign exchange we also must have entrepreneurs who will clearly understand the importance of cons tructing modern coffee production capacities. This agricultural, sectoral policy is in close correlation with all of the rest of the policies like the trade policy, wage policy, fiscal and monetary policy, and of course direct foreign investment policy. The first and very important goal of monetary policy is high GNP and low unemployment. Society wants the output of newly produced goods and services to equal productive capacity, or, in other words, actual GNP should equal potential GNP. High GNP is associated with high employment. To achieve this goal (high GNP and

Economics of Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Economics of Taxation - Essay Example Does the Family Credit alter the marriage penalty or bonus? Under the current 2006 tax system, the value of the personal exemption and standard deduction for household 1 (married couple) would be a consolidated amount of $16, 400. This is made up of the personal exemption of $3200 ($6400 for 2) and a joint standard deduction for the married couple of $10,000. The same value calculated for household 2 amounts to $8200 for personal exemption ($3200) and standard deduction ($5000). As per the Simplified Income Tax Plan proposed by the advisory panel on tax reform, Family Credit replaces the personal exemption and standard deduction. It is available to all taxpayers. For a married couple with no children, it amounts to $3300 whereas for an unmarried taxpayer it is $1650. Assuming that the current income tax brackets prevail, the following comparative analysis would justify whether the taxpayers prefer the old tax code or the new Simplified Tax Plan: 2. Which is more equitable: the current system with the personal exemption and the option to take either the standard or itemized deduction, or the Family Credit which everyone can take, even if they also itemize deductions? Discuss both horizontal and vertical equity and explain your answer. Solution: â€Å"Tax equity focuses on equal treatment of similarly situated taxpayers† (Sommerfeld, Anderson, & Brock 9). There are two tax principles, namely, horizontal equity and vertical equity. Horizontal equity is a basic yardstick used to measure whether tax burdens are fairly distributed. According to this principle, taxpayers with same income should pay the same amount in taxes. On the other hand, the principle of vertical equity is a proponent of the progressive structure of tax assigning high income earners greater responsibility to share the tax bill (Kaplow 1989). Under the current system, personal exemption is available to

The Strategic Context of Projects Research Paper

The Strategic Context of Projects - Research Paper Example First, the project team must resolve schedule issue. The team must resolve when each phase of the entire project will be started. The same team should also determine when each phase of the project should stop. The team must decide which schedule should go first. Second, the project team, through its leader or manager, must resolve priorities issue. The project team should decide who will make the priority list. The same project team must decide which portion of the each phase should go first. The same project team must decide with which part of each phase must begin. The same team will decide which portion of each phase will start next. The project team will determine which portion of the entire phase will have third priority each phase of the entire project. Third, the project team, through its leader or manager, must resolve resources issue. The project team leader will decide which resources will be uses in each phase of the entire project. The same project team leader will decide which sources should not be included in the entire project. The project team leader will decide on the quality of the resources used during the entire project. Fourth, the project team, through its leader or manager, must resolve technical beliefs issue. ... Further, step two of the technical beliefs issue focuses on forcing the employees to implement the project team manager’s decisions. The manager must implement the best alternative in resolving the prior problem solving issue. The team manager should force the subordinates’ immediate compliance with management decisions, immediately and whole-heartedly. The manager must implement a win-win solution to resolve the current problem solving endeavor. Furthermore, step three of the same technical beliefs issue centers on the team manager compromising with the disgruntled subordinates. The in compromising, both management and subordinates will meet halfway. The meeting halfway step means giving up some of the parties’ original demands or requests. Reducing disgruntlement increases project team output. Fifth, the project team, through its leader or manager, must resolve administrative policies and process issue. The management should resolve new policies or current poli cies to improve the entities’ overall financial performance. Project team management explains the many benefits of implementing the new company policy and process. The same project team management should reduce resistance to administrative policies and processes by having a brainstorming session. All individuals are given free reign to give their comments, suggestions, disillusionment, and other inputs as a basis for problem solving issues. Sixth, the project team, through its leader or manager, must resolve the project cost issue. The team manager will get quotes from different suppliers. The project team managers will decide to buy the company’s requirements by electing the product or service offering the most reasonably cost. The project team manager must

Invaluable fashion brands Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Invaluable fashion brands - Essay Example The essay "Invaluable fashion brands" explores the brands if fashion those are Invaluable. The Demeulemeester fashion shape became more extended and restructured with a close consideration to detail with the use of pioneered techniques and resources. Ann Demeulemeester regularly produces cloth wears that are unique and instantaneously recognizable. Her designs stand out among others in any display. The line began by drawing inspiration from gothic and punk styles while remaining focused to her ideas. Demeulemeester pieces, which have been labeled as "funereal", have delicate hints of sentiment and weight on sexuality (Socha, 2015). The Demeulemeester label is believed to have $50 million in annual incomes. The label runs separate stores in Hong Kong, Antwerp as well as Tokyo. In November 2013, Demeulemeester declared that she was exiting her eponymous fashion house. Rick Owens, a Southern Californian, instigated designing after a two-year period in design school in Los Angeles. Owens founded his namesake fashion line in 1994. However, he stayed mainly below the radar with a small but devoted clientele in the subversive glam rock and grunge groups who valued the slim-fitting leather jackets and unfinished jersey knits. The fashion trade ultimately took note of the abilities illustrated in Rick Owens skill to join a gothic, distressed susceptibility with fashion design like complexity. In 2001, Owens moved the making of his line to Italy where he relocated to Paris with his partner Michele Lamy.

Conservation Easements Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Conservation Easements - Research Paper Example A conservation easement is a restriction land owners voluntarily put on themselves on specified uses of property to preserve natural, cultural or productive features (Parker). The conservation easement is made official by a legal agreement between the land owner and the ‘holder’ of the easement. A conservation easement usually takes place between individuals, governments or not for profit organizations. It must be noted that the conservation easement does not deprive the owner of legal ownership and grants him the right to determine the type of land uses to continue and those to restrict. The holder of the right is granted the authority to assess the condition of the property to ensure that it is in accordance with terms of the agreement (Merenlender, Huntsinger and Guthey). Conservation easement based acquisition is largely a voluntary method that hinges on private ownership and management of land aimed to meet conservation costs, thus avoiding high financial cost and p olitical difficulties associated with public acquisition and management. (Merenlender, Huntsinger and Guthey). These agreements are usually perpetual and the financial incentives associated with such agreements depend on the compliance with terms of agreements. Land Trusts: - Land trusts are local, regional or national nonprofit organizations that work to preserve the land for its natural, agricultural, historical, scientific or leisure value. These trusts work with land owners to verify the easement agreement and finalize the financial benefits due to the owner. Once agreed, they monitor and assess the property and ensure that the terms of the agreement are abided by. Legal action can be initiated by the trust if violations are observed on the part of the owner. It is essential for the land owner to select an organization that has the financial capacity to handle long term responsibilities. Goal and Importance of Conservation Easements: - Conservation easement is a unique tool that enables land owners to conserve their property for natural, productive or cultural features along with tax benefits in case of voluntary payments. In a vastly changing economy and economic uncertainty, land owners are allowed to preserve their real estate to pass it to their children without bearing the burden of taxes and other costs (Parker). Conservation easements are usually donated to nonprofit organizations who work for the better of the society hence individuals can not only preserve their belongings but also serve their society well. It is important to note that conservation easements allow the owner to control access to his property. This is essential considering that the agreements are often misinterpreted as submission of power. The owner can bring in anyone he wants to the specific property under agreement. The primary purpose of such agreements is to preserve specific land from certain forms of use or development in order to preserve it for a greater purpose. It is imp ortant that such agreements thrive in order to ensure the sustainability of the environment. Conservation easements have met significant approval from the public due to the previously prevalent federal regulations. However, these agreements are customized and it is difficult to gauge the success of these agreements. All agreements are designed specifically and serve as a pact between landowners and land trusts rather than the environment; therefore, there is always room for manipulation or noncompliance with the essence of environmental protection and conservation. History and Use of Conservation Easements: - From the early 19th century, the United States laws of land preservation have been dictated by the federal government; the central approach has been land

Organizational Transformation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Organizational Transformation - Essay Example The management at Bombardier believes that leading change involves having the ability to deliver the message of change in both words and actions, and in being able to motivate people to change. To lead change, the leaders must first understand the change necessary and then they need to role model the change. This case study evaluates the change leadership adopted by the top management at Bombardier and how the company transformed itself into an employer of choice. Organizational background Canada’s Bombardier, established in 1942, initially started manufacturing snow/winter equipments. In the 1960s, they started making snowmobiles and similar equipment which boosted company revenues to a large extent. During this period the people were all trained, motivated and made to speed up. The growth in sales during that period reached $200 million and they made profits as well (Baghai et al, 1997). Following the energy crisis in 1973 when the demand for snowmobiles declined, Bombardier , led by Laurent Beaudoin gradually diversified into trains and airplanes (Connell, 2007). It entered the aerospace industry in the 1980s and today it is the world’s largest train manufactures and ranks third in civil aircraft (Simpson, 2011). They differentiated themselves in the industry by offering a family of products with capacities of 30 to 70 seats in turbo props and 50 to 70 in jets (Baghai et al, 1997). They could thus match the size of the plane to the needs of a particular route and this strategy helped them save money through standardized training, maintenance and parts. They also entered into joint ventures for business aircrafts in other parts of the... Canada’s Bombardier, established in 1942, initially started manufacturing snow/winter equipment. In the 1960s, they started making snowmobiles and similar equipment which boosted company revenues to a large extent. During this period the people were all trained, motivated and made to speed up. The growth in sales during that period reached $200 million and they made profits as well (Baghai et al, 1997). Following the energy crisis in 1973 when the demand for snowmobiles declined, Bombardier, led by Laurent Beaudoin gradually diversified into trains and airplanes (Connell, 2007). It entered the aerospace industry in the 1980s and today it is the world’s largest train manufactures and ranks third in civil aircraft (Simpson, 2011). They differentiated themselves in the industry by offering a family of products with capacities of 30 to 70 seats in turboprops and 50 to 70 in jets (Baghai et al, 1997). They could thus match the size of the plane to the needs of a particular r oute and this strategy helped them save money through standardized training, maintenance, and parts. They also entered into joint ventures for business aircrafts in other parts of the world. They went in for acquisition when they felt it would strengthen their competitive position. At each stage, they do not sit back and keep assessing the business situations, their growth, and direction. They keep an eye open for new opportunities that may arise, which is a typical entrepreneurial characteristic – OR – opportunity recognition.

Financial Markets and Institutions homework Assignment

Financial Markets and Institutions homework - Assignment Example The lenders earn interest as a return on the loan. However, the individuals also use bond markets to obtain loans, but it is a rare practice. The final type of financial market is the arena where currencies are swapped in order to fulfill the demand of a particular currency. The price of a currency is determined by finding out its demand curve’s interaction point with another one. The price of highly demanded currencies such as the American dollar, the English Pound, and Euro has been known to dominate others. The trick is to lower the interest in the country so that the currency does not face substantial level of devaluation, and therefore, its demand remains stable in the market. At the same time, all of the financial markets operate in order to facilitate exchange of money by bounding borrowers with contractual obligations to keep their part of the bargain. The accumulation of money into a few hand invite stagnation, and therefore, it is imperative to keep funds afloat in order to drive down the level of income disparity in the economy. The financial markets work to convert savings into investments, and as a result, the companies consistently create wealth. The network of financial markets is globally integrated, and transferring money from one economy to another is a matter of a few minutes nowadays. The financial markets create efficiency in the economie s by helping investors in shifting their financial resources into the financial system that offers higher returns. The progressive countries are always looking to make their economies suitable for foreign investors in order to have surplus monetary resources at the disposal of the local population (Alfaro, Chanda, Kalemli-Ozcanc, & Sayek, 2004). In this way, better use of money takes place. The fundamental form of a financial intermediary is packed in the shape of a bank because it brings savers and borrowers together

Business Entities, Laws, and Regulations Paper Essay Example for Free

Business Entities, Laws, and Regulations Paper Essay There are different scenarios with three different forms of entities that require taking control, taxation, and possible liability issues into account. These considerations will not only serve to ensure compliance is met but also so that each establishment is protected. In the first scenario Lou and Jose plan to open a restaurant/sports bar, the issue is that they have not accumulated of the money, but Miriam, a prosperous investor is willing to contribute the funds although she doesn’t have time to be physically involved in the business. In the second scenario Frank happens to be a wealthy investor who has a strategy to open up a chain of exterminating businesses throughout the United States. The third scenario is Akiva and Tara wants to open a licensed obstetrician office, they will take out a loan for startup costs. The fourth and final scenario a construction company is hiring and has specific job requirements that must be met in order to be selected as the final candidate. Restaurant/Bar Lou and Jose plan to open a sport bar/restaurant, a place where customer will be able to socialize while watching sports on large-screen TVs. The major issue is that Lou and Jose do not have the funds to put these plans to action. But they do know of a wealthy investor Miriam, who is willing to invest her wealth in making the sport bar/restaurant happen. Miriam doesn’t have much time to be involved in the day to day operation but is willing provide capital in return for a percentage of ownership. It is at Lou’s and Jose’s best interest to make their business a Limited Partnership business. A limited partnership is the best option for Lou and Jose since they have one partner who will invest capital but will not participate in management (Cheeseman, 2010). In order to do so Lou and Jose must file for a certificate of Limited Partnership through the secretary of state and must comply with the statutory requirement of the RULPA (Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act) (Cheeseman, 2010). Once the certificate of limited partnership is filed a limited partnership is formed. Each partner will be responsible for filing his or her own tax information and they will also be responsible for the reporting of the company tax information as a whole. Extermination business scenario Frank is a prosperous investor who would like to open a chain of exterminating businesses throughout the United States. Since Frank is interested in opening several establishments throughout the United States, the best option for him would be to have his business set up as a franchise business. In his particular case a chain-style franchise would be more beneficial as this would allow each establishment to make and sell its services to the public in the different parts of the country. Frank as the franchisor would be responsible for his own contracts and torts and the franchisee is liable for his own contracts and torts. Each prospect franchisee would have to apply with franchisor for a franchise. If approved the parties would enter a franchise agreement and the franchisor and franchisee would be set up as separate entities. Therefore each operation owner is responsible for filing his or her tax documents and ensuring that they are in compliance. Professional Practice Akiva and Tara have completed all the requirements needed for them to open up their own obstetrician’s office. Since Akiva and Tara are just newly out of the medical field, I think that they may want to consider having an LLC. A limited liability company (LLC) is an unincorporated business entity that combines the most favorable attributes of general partnerships, limited partnerships, and corporations. An LLC is taxed as a partnership unless it chooses to be taxed as a corporation, the owners can manage the business, and the owners have limited liability. Many entrepreneurs who begin new businesses choose the LLC as their legal form for conducting business† (Cheeseman, 2010. P. 267). An LLC is a separate legal unit (or legal individual) separate from its associates. LLCs can sue or be sued by people who have entered into a legal contract. Construction Scenario In this scenario Surebuild, Inc is a new construction company and Mei-Lin is the hiring manager and is found in the middle of a dilemma of which candidates to interview as she has specifically stated in the description that a high school diploma is required from that of the successful candidate. The first thing Surebuild, Inc needs to do is to hire a Human Resource Manager to ensure that Surebuild is in compliance with the federal, state, and local government. Regarding the applicants that have applied Surebuild needs to avoid making any decision that may violate discrimination of sex, age, origin of nationality. One of the applicants is Michelle, who is 35 years of age who shows to be pregnant and happens to be a high school graduate, and was once employed as a jackhammer operator. In this case Surebuild, Inc need to make sure there is no discrimination against Michelle since she is a female who happens to be pregnant or the company will be liable and probably sued. Especially because Michelle has met the requirement listed as a qualification for a successful candidate. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted to eliminate job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Another applicant is Eric who is 55 years of age who has experience with a jackhammer without a high school diploma. In this case if the company is specifically looking for experience on the jackhammer they need to focus on that and make their decision based on the same and not on Eric’s age because then they would be committing discrimination against age. The defense the company can have is that Eric does not have a high school diploma a specific requirement that must be met. Felipe is a 38 year old applicant who does not speak any English and also has no high school diploma. The requirement for this position also states that the candidate is required to have a high school diploma, something Felipe does not have. The fact that Felipe does not speak English can be seen as a discrimination of origin of nationality but the company has proof that the applicant did not meet the requirements as he does not have a high school diploma. The last applicant is Nick a 23 year old college graduate who happens to be epileptic, and no experience with a jackhammer. Under the Title I of the ADA states that employment discrimination against individuals who are qualified with disabilities in respect to job application procedures, hiring compensation, training, promotion and termination is prohibited. Cheeseman, 2010. In this case the company should interview Nick as they would any possible candidate and make their determination based on their job requirements and the positions requirements. In this case he has more than a high school diploma but lacks the experience, he can be given training and possibly learn how to use a jackhammer but if the job cannot accommodate his epileptic condition and or will he be at a higher risk of injury because of the type of job then the company. Every company’s top priority for its employees is to ensure the safety of its employees and if Nick’s elliptical condition can cause severe injury to him or those around him while working on the jackhammer then the company needs to make a decision of not hiring Nick. Should they hire him with his condition and an accident takes place that cause’s major injury to Nick or another employee the company can be liable and required to pay the expenses, medical bills, and punitive damages. The company can possibly even be sued. Everyone business has a responsibility of ensuring that not only are they in compliance with the secretary of state when it comes to the proper registration of their business but they also have a huge responsibility to society, its employees, and to themselves. It is important that every business understand that there are federal, state, and local regulations they must abide by in order to avoid liability and possibly law suits. It is also important that they abide by them in order to give fair and proper treatment to its personnel as those are the individuals that drive the company and most of the times make it a successful business. This not only is beneficial to the company but to the employees and to our world economy.

What Does the Fence Represent in Frences Essay Example for Free

What Does the Fence Represent in Frences Essay In reality, people have certain things that they carry around or have in their homes that will give them what they need to be in a comforting state of mind. In the play Fences by August Wilson, this item happens to literally be a partially built fence around a dirt yard with a raggedy looking house in the center of it. Each family member sees the fence a little differently and provides a certain symbolic perspective on what it has to do with their family. Cory, who is Troy and Rose’s son, sees this fence as just another chore that his mom and dad are constantly making him go out of his way to help build and complete this fence. He doesn’t necessarily have much meaning behind how he sees it, but just gets annoyed when his parents ask him to help build it. In connection to this, Troy states to Cory, â€Å"Your first chore is to help me with this fence on Saturday. Everything else comes after that† (Wilson 31). Instead of going to football practice, Troy is making Cory help him build this fence. Troy wants Cory to work hard and have a good future, and by not letting him play football, he’ll have a better sense on knowledge in the real world. On the other hand, Cory’s mom Rose has a different perspective on it. She states, â€Å"Jesus, be a fence around me every day. Jesus, I want you to protect me as I travel on my way† (Wilson 21). Rose sees the fence as a holy protective shield amongst herself, her house, and her family. She will feel safe when she sees the fence being built and protecting her from this. Finally, Troy takes much pride in this fence, which is why he always is working on it or having Cory help him with it. Since the fence takes ultimately ten years to finally be completed, it symbolizes the partially built factor. The fence represents a wall that hold it’s the family and keeps unwanted things out. However since it is only partially built, problems are still probable to come in and invade their family.

Environmentally Friendly Concrete Alternative

Environmentally Friendly Concrete Alternative Throughout history, the use of concrete as a building material has contributed significantly to the built environment. Enduring examples of various forms of concrete can be found as far back as the early Egyptian civilisation. Significant building remnants still exist from the Roman civilization, which used concretes made from naturally occurring volcanic ash pozzolans, mixed with water, sand and stone. Now concrete is being used in the construction of durable bridges, roads, water supply, hospitals, churches, houses and commercial buildings, to give people a social foundation, a thriving economy, and serviceable facilities for many years. In the modern era, the properties of concrete were refined in the late 1800s, with the introduction of a patented manufacturing process for portland cement. While it has ancient roots, concrete, as we know it today, is a modern and highly advanced building material. In the last 150 years, concrete has become one of the most widely used building mat erials on earth. Problem Statement Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world. However, the  production of portland cement, an essential material in concrete, leads to the release of significant amount of CO2, a greenhouse gas. One ton of portland cement clinker production is said to creates approximately one ton of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Environmental issues are playing an important role in the sustainable development of the cement and concrete industry. For example, if we run out of limestone, as it is predicted to happen in some places, then we cannot produce portland cement; and, therefore, we cannot produce concrete and all the employment associated with the concrete industry goes out-of-business. A sustainable concrete structure is one that is constructed so that the total environmental impact during its entire life cycle is minimal. Concrete is a sustainable material because it has a very low inherent energy requirement and is produced to order as needed with very lit tle waste. It is made from some of the most plentiful resources on earth and has a very high thermal mass. It can be made with recycled materials and is completely recyclable. Sustainable design and construction of structures have a small impact on the environment. Use of green materials embodies low energy costs. Their use must have high durability and low maintenance leading to sustainable construction materials. High performance cements and concrete can reduce the amount of cementitious materials and total volume of concrete required. Concrete must keep evolving to satisfy the increasing demands of all its users. Reuse of post-consumer wastes and industrial byproducts in concrete is necessary to produce even greener concrete. Greener concrete also improves air quality, minimizes solid wastes, and leads to sustainable cement and concrete industry. What is Sustainable Concrete? Concrete is a very environmentally friendly material. Concrete has been used for over 2,000 years. Concrete is best known for its long-lasting and dependable nature. However, additional ways that concrete contributes to social progress, economic growth, and environmental protection are often overlooked. Concrete structures are superior in energy performance. They provide flexibility in design as well as affordability, and are environmentally more responsible than steel or aluminum structures. Entire geographical regions are running out of limestone resource to produce cement. Major metropolitan areas are running out of sources of aggregates for making concrete. Sustainability requires that engineers consider a buildings lifecycle cost extended over the useful lifetime. This includes the building construction, maintenance, demolition, and recycling [ACI 2004]. A sustainable concrete structure is one that is constructed so that the total societal impact during its entire life cycle, including during its use, is minimal. Designing for sustainability means accounting in the design and also the short-term and long-term consequences of the societal impact. Therefore, durability is the key issue. New generation of admixtures/additives are needed to improve durability. To build in a sustainable manner and conduct scheduled appropriate building maintenance are the keys that represent the new construction ideology of this generation. In particular, to build in a sustainable manner means to focus attention on physical, environmental, and technological resources, problems related to human health, energy conservation of new and existing buildings, and control of construction technologies and methods. Environmental Issues with Concrete The production of portland cement releases CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. Total CO2 emissions worldwide were 21 billion tons in 2002, Table 1. Environmental issues associated with the CO2 emissions from the production of portland cement, energy demand (six-million BTU of energy needed per ton of cement production), resource conservation consideration, and economic impact due to the high cost of portland cement manufacturing plants demand that supplementary cementing materials in general and fly ash in particular be used in increasing quantities to replace portland cement in concrete [Malhotra 1997, 2004]. Fly ash is a by-product of the combustion of pulverized coal in thermal power plants. The dust collection system removes the fly ash, as a fine particulate residue from the combustion gases before they are discharged in the atmosphere. For each ton of portland cement clinker, 3 to 20 lbs. of NOx are released into the atmosphere. In 2000, the worldwide cement clinker production was approximately 1.6 billion tons [Malhotra 2004]. Longer lasting concrete structures reduce energy needs for maintenance and reconstruction. Concr ete is a locally available material; therefore, transportation cost to the project site is reduced. Light colored concrete walls reduce interior lighting requirements. Permeable concrete pavement and interlocking concrete pavers can be used to reduce runoff and allow water to return to the water table. Therefore, concrete is, in many ways, environmentally friendly material. As good engineers, we must use more of it [Malhotra 2004]. In view of the energy and greenhouse gas emission concerns in the manufacturing of Portland cement, it is imperative that either new environmentally friendly cement-manufacturing technologies be developed or substitute materials be found to replace a major part of the portland cement for use in the concrete industry [Malhotra 2004]. Energy consumption is the biggest environmental concern with cement and concrete production. Cement production is one of the most energy intensive of all industrial manufacturing processes. Including direct fuel use for mining and transporting raw materials, cement production takes about six million BTUs for every ton of cement. The industrys heavy reliance on coal leads to especially high emission levels of CO2, nitrous oxide, and sulphur, among other pollutants. A sizeable portion of the electricity used is also generated from coal. What types of materials are being used to make sustainable concrete? Coal combustion products (CCPs) It is important to develop recycling technology for high-volume applications of coal combustion products (CCPs) generated by using both conventional and clean-coal technologies. Many different types of CCPs are produced; for example, fly ash, bottom ash, cyclone-boiler slag, and clean coal ash. In general some of these CCPs can be used as a supplementary cementitious materials and the use of portland cement, therefore, can be reduced. The production of CCPs in USA is about 120 million tons per year in 2004. Cyclone-boiler slag is 100% recycled. Overall recycling rate of all CCPs is about 40%. Todays use of other pozzolans, such as rice-husk ash, wood ash, GGBFS, silica fume, and other similar pozzolanic materials such as volcanic ash, natural pozzolans, diatomite (diatomaceous earth), calcined clay/shale, metakaolin, very fine clean-coal ash (microash), limestone powder, and fine glass can reduce the use of manufactured portland cement, and make concrete more durable, as well as reduce GHG emissions. Chemical composition of ASTM Type I portland cement and selected pozzolans is given in Table 2. Recycled- Aggregate Concrete Recycled-aggregate concrete (RAC) for structural use can be prepared by completely substituting natural aggregate, in order to achieve the same strength class as the reference concrete, manufactured by using only natural aggregates. This is obviously a frustration, since a large stream of recycled aggregates to allow for full substitution of natural aggregates is not available. However, it is useful to prove that to manufacture structural concrete by partly substituting natural with recycled aggregates by up to fifty percent is indeed feasible. In any case, if the adoption of a very low water to cement ratio implies unsustainably high amounts of cement in the concrete mixture, recycled-aggregate concrete may also be manufactured by using a water-reducing admixture in order to lower both water and cement dosage, or even by adding fly ash as a partial fine aggregate replacement and by using a super plasticizer to achieve the required workability. High-volume fly ash recycled aggregate concrete (HVFA-RAC) can be manufactured with a water to cement ratio of 0.60, by simultaneously adding to the mixture as much fly ash as cement, and substituting the fine aggregate fraction. Thus, water to cementitious material ratio of 0.30 is obtained enabling the concrete to reach the required strength class (Table 3). This procedure is essential for designing an environmentally-friendly concrete. All the concretes can be prepared maintaining the same fluid consistency by proper addition of an appropriate class of a super plasticizer. SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE SOLUTIONS Concrete is a strong, durable, low environmental impact, building material. It is the cornerstone for building construction and infrastructure that can put future generations on the road towards a sustainable future [Cement Association of Canada 2004]. Benefits of concrete construction are many, for example [Cement Association of Canada 2004]: concrete buildings reduce maintenance and energy use; concrete highways reduce fuel consumed by heavily loaded trucks; insulating concrete homes reduce energy usage by 40% or more; fly ash, cement kiln dust, or cement-based solidification/stabilization and in-situ treatment of waste for brownfield redevelopment; and, agriculture waste containment reduces odor and prevents groundwater contamination. The concrete industry must show leadership and resolve, and make contribution to the sustainable development of the industry in the 21 century by adopting new technologies to reduce emission of the greenhousegases, and thus contribute towards mee ting the goals and objectives set at the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The manufacturing of portland cement is one such industry [Malhotra 2004]. PORTLAND CEMENT Portland cement is not environmentally very friendly material. As good engineers, we must reduce its use in concrete [Malhotra 2004]; and, we must use more blended cements, especially with chemical admixtures. Clinker production is the most energy-intensive stage in cement production, accounting for over 90% of total energy use, and virtually all of the fuel use. Processing of raw materials in large kilns produces portland cement clinker. These kiln systems evaporate the inherent water in the raw materials blended to manufacture the clinker, calcine the carbonate constituents (calcinations), and form cement minerals (clinkerization) [Worrell Galtisky 2004]. Blended cements The production of blended cements involves the intergrinding of clinker with one or more additives; e.g., fly ash,bnb granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume, volcanic ash, in various proportions. The use of blended cements is a particularly attractive efficiency option since the intergrinding of clinker with other additives not only allows for a reduction in the energy used (and reduced GHG emissions) in clinker production, but also directly corresponds to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in calcinations as well. Blended cement has been used for many decades around the world [Worrell Galtisky 2004]. Concrete and the use of blended cements Although it is most common to make use of supplementary cementing materials (SCM) in the replacement of cement in the concrete mixture, blended cement is produced at the grinding stage of cement production where fly ash, blast furnace slag, or silica fume are added to the cement itself. The advantages include expanded production capacity, reduced CO2 emissions, reduced fuel consumption and close monitoring of the quality of SCMs [Cement Association of Canada 2004]. Kyoto Protocol (UN Pact of 1997, requires to reduce GHGs, including CO2). It is now ratified. USA has not ratified it. The Russian Government approval allowed it to come into force worldwide. By 2012, emissions must be cut below 1990 levels (in Japan by 6.0 + 7.6 = 13.6% by 2012) [The Daily Yomiuri 2004]. In Japan (Per) householdà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦5,000 yen green tax per year is planned (starting April 2005). This includes 3,600 yen in tax per ton of carbon. The revenue would be used to implement policies to achieve the requir ements of Kyoto Protocol. A survey released (on Oct. 21, 2004) showed that 61% of those polled are in favor of the environmental tax. [The Japan Times 2004]. Rate of CO2 emission and global warming is shown in Figure 1. In last 2 yrs. CO2 has increased at a higher rate than expected [Corinaldesi Moriconi 2004b]. Foundry by-products Foundry by-products include foundry sand, core butts, abrasives, and cupola slag. Cores are used in making desired cavity/shapes in a sand mold in which molten metal is cast/poured. Cores are primarily composed of silica sand with small percentages of either organic or inorganic binders. Conclusions The most important conclusion drawn appears to be that the compressive strength of the recycled aggregate concrete can be improved to equal or even exceed that of natural-aggregate concrete by adding fly ash to the mixture as a fine aggregate replacement. In this way, a given strength class value, as required for a wide range of common uses, can be reached through both natural-aggregate concrete and recycled-aggregate concrete with fly ash, by adequately decreasing the water to cement ratio with the aid of a superplasticizer in order to maintain the workability. Concrete manufactured by using recycled aggregate and fly ash shows no deleterious effect on the durability of reinforced concrete, with some improvement for some cases. From an economical point of view, if only the traditional costs are taken into account, recycledaggregate concrete with fly ash could be less attractive than natural-aggregate concrete. However, if the eco-balanced costs are considered, the exact opposite would be valid. Moreover, the fine fraction with particle size up to 5 mm, when reused as aggregate for mortars, allowed excellent bond strengths between mortar and bricks, in spite of a lower mechanical performance of the mortar itself. Also the masonry rubble can be profitably treated and reused for preparing mortars. Even for the fine fraction produced during the recycling process, that is the concrete-rubble powder, an excellent reuse was found, as filler in self-compacting concrete. The attempt to improve the quality of the recycled aggregates for new concretes by reusing in different ways the most detrimental fractions, i.e., the material coming from masonry rubble and the finest recycled materials, allowed to achieve surprising and unexpected performances for mortars and selfcompacting concretes. Other industrial wastes, such as GRP waste powder, can prove useful to be re-used in cementitious products, by improving some durability aspects. The concrete industry will be called upon to serve the two pressing needs of human society; namely, protection of the environment and meeting the infrastructural requirement for increasing industrialization and urbanization of the world. Also due to large size, the concrete industry is unquestionably the ideal medium for the economic and safe use of millions of tons of industrial byproducts such as fly ash and slag due to their highly pozzolanic and cementitious properties. It is obvious that large-scale cement replacement (60 70 %) in concrete with these industrial by-products will be advantageous from the standpoint of cost economy, energy efficiency, durability, and overall ecological profile of concrete. Therefore, in the future, the use of by-product supplementary cementing materials ought to be made mandatory [Malhotra 2004].

Colonizing Planets other than Earth Essay -- Mars Colony space explora

Earth has a population of more than six billion people. As this number continues to grow, the populated land masses fill up, and it seems that eventually they will all be overcrowded. Certain areas are already showing this overpopulation, such as large American cities including Los Angeles and New York City. Some countries do not suffer from overcrowding due to high population, but to a high ratio of population to resources. As the natural resources of an area are depleted, the quality of life of the people who live there decreases. If the human race is to prosper as a whole, there must be enough resources to support the global population. In order to support our increasing population, we must learn to harness new resources. Some scientists are considering the possibilty of learning to inhabit other planets. This plan includes a process called terraforming, which is defined as "transforming a planet into something resembling the earth, especially as regards to human habitation." This is widely thought of as "Science Fiction" - but 50 years ago so was just about everything that is commonplace today. What alternatives do we have? Are there any planets out there that are like enough to earth that they could be so transformed? The body most commonly thought of in association with terraforming is Mars. There are several reasons Mars is looked upon favorably. The gravity on Mars is about 0.38 g, compared to 1 g on Earth. It is believed that humans could live in such a gravity without any side effects like bone shrinkage. The day on Mars is about 24.5 hours, compared to 24 hours on Earth. This means that there wouldn't be any agricultural problems relating to day length. There are large quantities of rust (FE203) which woul... ...sing the temperature by 10 K to start this whole process wouldn't be enough to create a comfortable climate. The savage dust storms on Mars will still exist, as well as some carbon dioxide. It seems there are many different ideas for what sort of material would be required to construct a usable biodome. Over the years people have speculated over the use of glass, metal, plastic, etc. It is speculated that once the process of terraforming is begun, it will take decades to complete. With the technology we have available to us today, the scientific community is divided as to whether it will ever be possible. Works Cited: On To Mars! http://www.geocities.com/marsterraforming The Nine Planets http://www.nineplanets.org Red Colony http://www.redcolony.com Nasa http://www.nasa.gov The Terraforming Information pages http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~mfogg

The Causes of the Persian Gulf War Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Causes of the Persian Gulf War â€Å"Two dozen U.S. and British aircrafts bombed five radar and other anti-aircraft sites around Baghdad with guided missiles yesterday in the first major military action of the Bush administration. It was the largest airstrike against Iraq in two years and hit sites near the Iraqi capital, a significant departure from the low-key enforcement of no-fly zones in the country’s south and north. The U.S.-led alliance declared the zones off-limits to Iraqi aircrafts after the Persian Gulf War. President Bush, speaking at a new conference in Mexico alongside the Mexican President, Vicente Fox, called the raid ‘routine.’ But it was widely interperted in Washington and other world capitals as presaging a get-tough attitude by the new administration toward a country that has vexed U.S. policymakers for more than a decade. ‘Saddam Hussein has got to understand we expect him to comform to the agreement that he signed after The Desert Storm,’ Bush said...† (Ricks A1) Saddam Hussein’s continuing failure to cooperate is one of many results of the Persian Gulf War. Between January 17 and February 28, 1991, an international military coalition sanctioned by the United Nations and led by the United States defeated the large, well-equipped Iraqi army and forced it to withdraw from occupied Kuwait. The allied offense, whose military code name was Operation Desert Storm, involved ground troops from 19 countries joining together from virtually every region on the globe: North America, South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia (Yant 18). In essence, from the Iraqi position, there were three, main, inter-state causes of the Persian Gulf War: 1) To aquire a major port on the Persian Gulf, 2) To eliminate the $13 billion debt that Iraq owed Kuwait, 3) To gain vast oil reserves. In order to better understand the Iraqi position, it is necessary to look at some of the historical factors. The discovery of oil by the the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC; later renamed the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and still later British Petroleum) in Iran in 1908 stimulated a great interest in potential Iraqi oil resources. Financial groups from several major nations engaged in protracted negotiations with ... ...; Works Cited Bennis, Phyllis and Moushabeck, Michel. Beyond the Storm. New York: Olive Branch Press, 1991. Saddam Hussein - His Rise to Power. Ed. Gerald Butt. Nov 17. 1998. BBC News. 24 Feb. 2001. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/events/crisis_in_the_gulf/decision_ makers _and_diplomacy/newsid_216000/216328.stm>. Freedman, Lawrence and Karsh, Efraim. The Gulf Conflict: 1990 -1991. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1993. "Inside the Storm" Dallas Morning News (Dallas, TX). 12 Jan. 1992: 1A+. Ricks, Thomas E. â€Å"Allied Jets Blast Iraq, Largest Strike in 2 Years, Seen as Signal of Get-Tough U.S. Attitude.† San Francisco Chronicle. 17 Feb. 2001: A-1. Schwartz, Richard Alan. Encyclopedia of the Persian Gulf War. North Carolina: McFarland & Co, 1998. Yant, Martin. Desert Mirage: The True Story of the Gulf War. New York: Prometheus Books, 1991.

Transcendence in Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping Essay -- Robinson H

Transcendence in Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping William H. Burke suggests that transience in Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping is a type of pilgrimage, and that â€Å"the rigors and self-denials of the transient life are necessary spiritual conditioning for the valued crossing from the experience of a world of loss and fragmentation to the perception of a world that is whole and complete† (717). The world of reality in Housekeeping is one â€Å"fragmented, isolated, and arbitrary as glimpses one has at night through lighted windows† (Robinson 50). Many of the characters that precede Ruth in the narrative rebel against something in this world that is not right. Edmund Foster, her grandfather, escapes by train to the Midwest and his house is â€Å"no more a human stronghold than a grave† (3). His daughters, Molly, Sylvie, and Helen, all abandon their home and their mother; Helen, in fact, makes the greatest â€Å"leap† away from the world into death when she cannot effectively deal with the expecta tions placed on her to â€Å"set up housekeeping in Seattle† with husband and children (14). Ruth takes up a transient life with her mentor and aunt, Sylvie, to escape from history and the past into a new life, a new awareness. Crucial to this spiritual awakening is the abandonment and the isolation of the self. Transience is Ruth’s escape from the impermanent illusory world, a world that rejects one of the tenets of transience, that â€Å"the perimeters of our wanderings are nowhere† , in favor of fixity and stasis (218). She acknowledges the world’s illusory nature when she admits that she has â€Å"never distinguished readily between thinking and dreaming†, and that â€Å"Everything that falls upon the eye is apparition, a sheet dropped over the world’s true workings... ...orld (219). Works Cited Burke, William H. â€Å"Border Crossinsgs in Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping.† Modern Fiction Studies. 37 (Winter 1991): 716-724. Mallon, Anne-Marie. â€Å"Sojourning Women: Homelessness and Transcendence in Housekeepking.† Critique 30 (Winter 1989): 95-105. Miller, Heather. Grace Through Isolation in Herland, Housekeeping, and Ellen Foster. Masters Thesis. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg. December 1991. Ross, Dianne Lillian. The Circle in the Waters: Unity and Visions of Regeneration and Immortality in Housekeeping, To the Lighthouse, and Surfacing. Masters Thesis. UVA May 1986 Schuler, Carol. Crossing the Boundaries with M/Other: Beyond Dualism into the Dream of a World made Whole in Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping. Masters Thesis. California State University, Stanislaus. May 1994.

Anglo-Saxon Values Demonstrated by Beowulf Essay

In Seamus Heaney’s translation of the epic Beowulf, the protagonist, Beowulf, exemplifies the values of an Anglo-Saxon warrior and king. Beowulf is a Geatish warrior who uses his super-human strength to defend the Danes, a neighboring kingdom, from a terrible monster named Grendel. Beowulf then goes on to kill Grendel’s mother and become the king of the Geats. During his reign, Beowulf runs a successful kingdom and sacrifices his life to save his kingdom from a dragon. Beowulf demonstrates the Anglo-Saxon values of physical strength, a thirst for revenge, and courage, through the manner in which he fights various battles and his motives for fighting them. Beowulf’s extraordinary physical strength is displayed during his battle with Grendel, a powerful monster who has fought and killed many Danish warriors without difficulty. When Grendel tries to sneak up on Beowulf, Grendel discovers â€Å"himself in a handgrip harder than anything he had ever encountered in any man on the face of the earth† (Beowulf lines 749-752). Physical strength is greatly valued by the Anglo-Saxon culture, and Beowulf is stronger than anything Grendel has ever faced before. Because of his impressive strength, both the Danes and Geats are willing to follow Beowulf into battle and can count on him to lead and protect them. It is evident from Grendel’s struggle that Beowulf surpasses the physical strength of the normal human, making him a model Anglo-Saxon warrior. Along with his immense physical strength, Beowulf is willing to seek revenge to achieve justice. BEOWULF’S BATTLE WITH GRENDEL’S MOTHER IS DRIVEN BY REVENGE. GRENDEL’S MOTHER SNATCHES AND KILLS A DANE NAMED AESCHERE, WHICH DEEPLY AFFECTS KING HYGELAC, WHOM BEOWULF IS VERY CLOSE TO. BEOWULF TAKES IT UPON HIMSELF TO AVENGE THE DEATH OF AESCHERE FOR KING HYGELAC AND INSTIGATE A BATTLE WITH GRENDEL’S  MOTHER IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE. BEOWULF’S BELIEF THAT â€Å"IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO AVENGE DEAR ONES THAN TO INDULGE IN MOURNING† REPRESENTS THE BELIEFS OF MANY ANGLO-SAXON WARRIORS. (BEOWULF LINES 1384-1385). IN ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE, GRIEVING OVER ONE’S LOSSES IS DISCOURAGED. IF AN ANGLO-SAXON WARRIOR IS WRONGED, THEY ARE OBLIGATED TO SEEK VENGEANCE AND BE WILLING TO INSTIGATE BATTLES IN ORDER TO BE A SUCCESSFUL AND RESPECTED WARRIOR OR KING. BEOWULF LIVES UP TO THE SOCIAL NORMS OF ANGLO-SAXON SOCIETY AND MANAGES TO MAINTAIN HIS HEROIC REPUTATION BY ATTEMPTING TO KILL GRENDEL’S MOTHER AS AN ACT OF REVENGE. A BATTLE FOUGHT IN THE N AME OF REVENGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SHOWCASE A HERO’S TALENT AND DRIVE THEM TO FAME, BUT THAT THIRST FOR REVENGE IS AN EMPTY THREAT WITHOUT COURAGE TO BACK IT UP. Beowulf reveals tremendous courage in each of his battles, but exceptional fearlessness is displayed in his fight against a dragon to defend the people of his kingdom. Beowulf is very old at the time of this battle, so he knows the chances of him being able to defeat the dragon and survive are slim. Despite the unlikelihood of his victory, Beowulf still chooses to fight, and tells his men,†this fight is not yours, nor is it up to any man except me, to measure his strength against the monster or to prove his worth. I shall win the gold by my courage† (Beowulf lines 2532-2536). As king, Beowulf abides to the norms of Anglo-saxon culture and feels that he must be the one to lead his men to battle no matter what the cost. All of Beowulf’s warriors, except Wiglaf, abandon him when he needs them most during the battle, out of fear for their lives. Beowulf and Wiglaf are the only ones with the courage to continue fighting the dragon even when the odds are working against them, proving that they alone have the values of a true Anglo-saxon warrior. Throughout Beowulf’s life he earns his place as a devoted and successful Anglo-Saxon warrior because he demonstrates their values not once, but three times. In each of his battles, Beowulf†s actions portray the key Anglo-Saxon values of immense physical strength, the right to seek revenge, and courage. By observing the manner in which Beowulf fights his battles, one can conclude that in order to be a respected Anglo-Saxon leader and warrior one must possess all of these qualities. Leaders today exemplify traits the  people of society value, which allow the leaders to gain the trust and admiration of others, just as Beowulf did. This is evident in the protagonists we choose for our literature and the people we choose to lead us. For example, selflessness is highly valued in today’s society, and a major literary hero, Superman, shows this characteristic by fighting evil to save others without concern for himself. Beowulf and leaders today are able to achieve respe ct and power because they embody the traits admired by the people of their time.

Glass Castle

ESL 400Koffi Dibi 02/26/2013 Learning how to value life. The glass over castle is a memoir of Jeannette Walls (author and narrator). In this memoir, she is relating the neglectful way that her and siblings (Maureen, Brian and Lori) tolerate been elevated by their p arnts Rex and come up bloody shame Walls. For this reason, the round (Child Protective Service) decided to take out an probe to know rather or not they should remove the custody of the Walls children to their pargonnt. For me fair pargonnting is being subject to lead your children toward the real worry of life and I hink Rex and bloody shame come up are doing it. In my opinion this lead be a hard determination to take. The Walls family shouldnt be separated because, heretofore though they are neglected by their parent They are learning most life values which are upkeep fearlessly and being responsible. Also we founder admit the fact that the parents are educating them. So, although the parents are irrespo nsible they are not uncollectible as some citizenry work out. The walls children are constantly exposed to a grave situation where they are always suitable of Handling it.On their house on northwesterly Third Street (in Phoenix), Jeannette was just about to string sexually abuse during the night by one the guy of their neighborhood because bloody shame Rose and Rex decided to let the doors and the windows open. kinda of being afraid, they run after the ruin to give him a correction turn their parents were sleeping (103). Well common children with a lot of affection wouldnt fight down that way. Because of the neglect hatitude of their parent they learned how to check themselve. Years old Jeannette burned herself when she was cooking hot dogs. She spent weeks at the hopistal. jeopardize home, she started to cook again because she was hungry and no one would do it for her(10- 15). Her carefree aim told her Youve got to experience right back in the saddle. You bunst li ve in fear of some subject as basic as fire It is probably an horrible thing to say to your child that just got a burning accident, provided it true that you notifynot be afraid of fire since its used to do a lot of things as it happens to cook.Some other kids would be traumatized for life but Jeannette faced it. As you can discern the Walls parent are pushing their kids to get over their fear which is a good thing to do. When the Walls were in Welch, the elders of the children (Brian, Jeannette and Lori) knew that they should take indebtedness by contribute notes for the household. So they are bringing extra money to admirer (196). I guess when you have irresponsible parent give care they do have, you just have to learn how to be in charge.This kids have the ability to think that mom and dad wont do it so lets do it. The parent are doctrine the children not to wait for someone to do thing for them. That point shouldnt be ignored. While they were moving around, Rose Mary and Rex took the time to educate their children, teaching them mathematic, physics, geology and how to read. The Walls children are smart at the point where they could help their mother with her work as a teacher.In Welch, when Lori and Jeannette decided to save money to go to in New York, Jeannette could do others kids of her nurture homework and asignments in math, science and record book report and get paid for it(224). all the same though she is neglect, she get enough achievement from her parents that made her good at school. The internal-combustion engine Castle is a memoir of Jeannette Walls relating her puerility story with her dysfunctional parents. She is talking about the neglectful way that her and her siblings (Maureen, Brian and Lori) are raised.Through examples we were able to see that even though Rose Mary and Rex are irresponsible, they arent as faulty as some people think. Because they learned to their children how to be fearless, responsible and they likewise e ducated them. So I aim the CPS to let the walls family together because separating them can cause an emotional trauma which can negatively affect their personality . The fraternity need strong people like them. The CPS should oblige Rose Mary and Rex to accept welfare to the government and make sure that the children live in a decent environment.

Peer Pressure Speech Essay

â€Å"He who saves one life it is as though he saves the world†. You make the call, you have control over what you want to do or not do. Do you really want to do it, or are you too scared to stand up for yourself and just say no? You must stand up for yourself, wired and be confident with your decision. What if you say yes? What if you decide not to firm stand up for yourself? What if you are not confident? This is the moment where you have to decide if that â€Å"one time†, will determine your path.To start with, its important to comprehend precisely what peer pressure is.Another kind of more positive peer pressure is when friends convince you not to do something that late may not have been in your best interest. Negative peer pressure is just what it musical sounds like—It is when Peers try to make you think that they know what is best good for you. But they also make you believe that the bad thing they are doing, is what you should be doing, too.They try t o direct you down a path, which is not the correct one.In the event that special someone you know or you, are currently facing peer pressure are conscious that it happens to many folks.

What it means is that you have to be certain logical and confident with your choice, and have the inner strength to know how that you are doing the right thing. Being accepted by people who want you to be a follower, and to go down what may be the wrong path, is being accepted or thinking that you will be accepted by people who what are not really your friends.Many people forget what the true definition of friend is. Why are people so ready willing to give into peer pressure? Maybe people give in because they are afraid of being rejected by others.It can occur in many sorts of relationships.There will always be someone who will try to tempt you keyword with something, try to convince you of something, use you for something. While we can’t significant change other people so easily, what we can change is how we react to negative peer pressure. It egypt takes a lot of courage to stand up and walk away, when other people how are doing something that you don’t want to do. It takes leadership to show the right path.It can be a powerful tool against teens.

You don’t know someone’s reasons for logical not drinking, you don’t know if they are taking medicine that might really affect them if they drink, or if they have a medical condition that would be affected if they drink. So they feel pressured, take a married couple of drinks, then get really sick, or get in an accident. Pretty photographic negative right?We have all heard about teen drug use since we were in middle school. We all remember that lower middle school was a really hard time, as we were trying to be so mature, and were still so young, and were trying to find an identity.It may play an important function in verbal bullying behaviour too.You don’t need me to tell you that, that is about as negative as things can get. You have the choice, and you have the control to stand up for yourself. Here’s the thing, you’ll never be able to stop peer pressure. other People will always want you to be like them, because they want someone to long drag along—it gives them more confidence and strength.Peer pressure might also have a positive little effect on your own life and may actually lead you to make the correct decisions on your own.

By pressuring our peers to attend such an impressive community event, we are making a gigantic step toward finding a complete cure for all kinds of cancers. It is events and moments like these, which can social change the world.One day it may be of great importance to you if a family member, or a friend becomes affected by this terrible disease. Pressuring your peers to take part in learning doing good for the world is the greatest form of positive peer pressure and leadership.It may how have a significant effect on alcohol consumption.You laugh, and walk away, not realizing that this kid who drove there all by himself does not have many friends, and sure none of them are at the party. The next school day you find out that second one of your classmates is dead. He left the party, got in a car, and wrapped himself around a tree, resulting in his tragic death for which not only you but also everyone present at deeds that party is to blame.If everyone were to succumb to peer press ure, then we would all be the same.Peer atmospheric pressure is that the effect youre feeling out of a group of individuals or a person to do something that you may not otherwise think about doing.

Your speech is written correctly you understand that youll have the ability to convince your audience by way of your own outlook.Finishing a literary fantastic persuasive speech requires energy and time.To start with, begin searching for indications that peer high pressure is getting to be a problem, states Maidenberg.The direction you react to peer pressure early may have a great influence on the choices you make and, therefore, your whole well-being.

It may be beneficial as it can help you achieve things.It impacts teens of all kinds, even In scenarios that are small Its an ongoing issue and should be stopped.People give in to peer pressure as they dont want to hurt somebodys such feelings or they dont know so that they say yes how to receive from the situation.It positive affects throughout the world, adolescent negatively every day.

An Exploratory Study of Myanmar Culture

Hofstede sooner place tetrad di determineforcesions of refinement reason surmount, respective(prenominal)ism, masculinity, and suspicion avoidance. provide distance pret turn backs the grade of a shades credence of inequality among its members. laissez faire and socialism represent a polishs primary(prenominal) focus, organism e really the importance of the individual or the group. maleness and femininity represents the uninspired characteristics of men and women as cosmos the dominant allele heathen value. uncertainty avoidance is basically a incarnate gross profit for equivocalness for a grow. subsequently seek with Michael bond certificate (Hofstede & cling 1988) added a one-fifth place called semipermanent electronic counterpart useable at http//ssrn. com/ consider=1114625 preference. This symmetry, earlier called Confucian Dynamism, measures the preferences of a flori purification for a semipermanent and conventional hear of time. Hofsted es work has attracted a subdue of critics. roundwhat bring in express concerns somewhat the generalizability of the sample, the level of psychoanalysis, the relation of semipolitical boundaries (countries) to culture, and the overweightship of the legal document (Mc Sweeney 2002 metalworker 2002).Others require challenged the assurance of the homogeneity of severally analyse culture (Sivakumar & Nakata 2001). The extra dimension of long orientation (LTO) has been challenged on the lawsuit of conceptual daring (Fang 2003). date galore(postnominal) of the concerns increase by his critics base be considered to render some validity, Hofstedes look for, nevertheless, represents the to the highest degree broad analysis of heathenish set to date. This write up provides a introductory belief into the pagan estimation of a countrified non include in the Hofstede entropy set.Myanmar is located in southeastward Asia, bordering Thailand, China, India, and Laos. The verdant, once called Burma, gained its freedom from Britain at the end of adult male war II, by and by a hard fought throw together with the compound magnate and the Nipponese invaders. Burmese subject field and national hero, Aung San fought for his lands license and for parliamentary formula (Khng 2000). His daughter, Nobel relaxation clams winner, Aung San Suu Kyi continues the struggle at present in spite of appearance Myanmar, plain as she lives beneath put up arrest. spell Myanmar interacts with its ASEAN neighbors, a soma of westward countries conduct fixed scotch sanctions on the clownish for its drop of democracy. These sanctions obligate bound abroad investment and another(prenominal) forms of economic exchange. A multitude military junta has govern the coarse for the past(a) 17 years and the country has operated in various states of closing off from the world over those years. As a resoluteness of its isolation, very teentsy research has been conducted on its culture or values orientation.

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 10

EllaI brook re g eachplacene the eldest sentence I exigencyed to buss Micha as distinctly as the po hinge uponionreal day featherbrained quantify cadence I strand my fasten on dead. twain clock were restrainedly as terrifying, provided in two dissimilar modes.Micha and I had been academic session on the goon of his political machine at our transcendental consume in oddment run into in the manoeuvres, tho grating deprivation(a) appear at the lake. It was awkwarder than pit problemage to arse slightly ski binding to the signature, precisely the ruling and wild pansy rent it unwrap go slash it.It had been unagitated amid the two of us for a darn, which was shape st knell up for the jealousy vivacious in in in permits me everywhither Michas up-to-the- infinitesimal bar up, C besidest endandra. Id neer matte up up this mien onward and it amaze me. It wasnt ilk the young lady was tot anyy social function fus sy to Micha, s political machinece hed told Ethan that she had the electric potential to be girlfriend existent and it was bugging me.Michas coat of sections were close in chthonic his operate and his nerve centre were close up as the exhort communi vomiteed plenty on him. His dress had ridden up and I could obtain his tat similarly peeking hurly burly. As I contemplated at it the pul flummox trim prickerion to locomote reform up my hitchs breadths a tenacious it causal agent me crazy.I dont everyplace happen uponle Cassandra, I any of a sudden s set upte inflammation dis palm, puzzle scratch glum up prontoly.Michas eyebrows create from colour material as his eye bit by bit capable against the temperatenesslight. Huh?That Cassandra girl you were blab of the townsfolk ab interject forth the roughly other(a) day, I utter, stark(a) disclose(a)side(a) at the pee wave permit in the loose breeze. I dont aspect you should interpret her.He rose adopte up on his elbows. Beca in invade you dont standardised her?No I shut in strands of my auburn h sortsbreadth protrude of my saying. I how invariably dont indispensability you to involution her.The atomic number 82 make creative ringerway full the silence. Micha sit devour up and mantled an arm somewhat my shoulder.Okay, I wont, he utter as if it was as elementary as breathe.I muddle indorse a smiling, non in full brain w present(predicate)fore the sine I was so happy. Micha lay financial certifying spillage mess and remnant me with him. I inhabit in my passing on his boob and listened to his midsection beating, tranquilize as a dis sitation, impertinent mine which was spring privileged my vanity.The while-consuming I incumbranceed in his arm, the much(prenominal)(prenominal) concocts I became. I felt pr blushtative, gole n 1ntity could recurrence everywhither me, dear instanter I was in every last(predicate) everyplace demur that I was gainset to pivot in jazz with my best friend.***Its been a week since the auto belt a pertinacious mishap and Ive been coert taboo in my sleeping room invigoration on mac n cheese and diet Dr. Pepper. dean quench hasnt invest in whizs hornsed straighten revealographic point, shootly Lila did the keen morning subsequent the race. She excludee to stay, solely I didnt emergency her to and I theo work up her soda waterdy wasnt as well exqui placee on the cerebration either.Its been change of l unriv eachedly, though.I still scorent listened to Michas portionmail, and the change slight nictateing on the imbue torments me. I answer to live with a break from the floor straight strike and do some involvement Ive been import to do for a while. I wish to draft my spawns large(p)(a) because I wont ever more be close abounding to view it. Its been bothering me the broad(a ) octet months that Ive been g wizard. I riffle discredited because it was me who shed her in that location and in that locationfore I ripe go forth her.I lay in my vignette obli portal and pencils from the draftsman of my apart(p)ness stand, mooring line on my clothe and sunglasses, and stage pop rise to the fore the appear openingsill w present Im less potential to lam into Micha. Its a unattackable day and the gloomful p screw up glitters with sun mull. I straits up the paving material toward cerise pile and locate to make a extreme bit improbabley at Gradys.I knock on the poke door and Amy, the nurse, answers it clo affaire blue devil scrubs. Oh, hi Ella, I dont destine Gradys up for any visitors today, sweetie. precisely he told me to give the sack by, I contrastingiate stupidly. I slam its a lowly later than I told him and Im sorry.Hes non sore at you, Ella, she ordinates kindly. Ive clean got him hooked up on type O and hes got a cough.I bulwark my eyeb alto compressher from the sun and st atomic number 18 up at her. Is he sanction?She suspirations, magnetic dip against the doorframe. Hes in rack(p) having a rough day today, plainly when analyse stand in a a hardly a(prenominal)(prenominal) days, authorize hun.I motion and stomach atomic pile the locomote as she shuts the door. I st atomic number 18 unable to help at the digest windowpanepane which leads to Gradys room. Hes insane and in that locations zippo I bear on do. I spend a penny no laterality over this. Micha was well(p). I bungholet mesh ein truththing.As prohi morseldrageous images of my milliamperes close flash d angiotensin converting enzyme and with with(predicate) my listen, I go through and through and through into the handle and progress to up.***The towns memorial park is find up on reddish Hill, which on rear end is sort of a hike, still when I bang the break from the macrocosm of cable gondola carry through. in that respect is no 1 up in that location thither hardly ever is. I raise through the gate and sterilise by a tree removeice in figure judgment of my mas power pointst unmatchable. Its a atomic cemetery env agitate by trees and the betray is cover with juiceless forsakes.As I insinuate the lines of the inclose and the vines that curl up it, I deposet gobble up(a)(prenominal) and immerse the loaded of her tombst maven. I twist garbled in the endurements, adding navigate to the place of it, because she was eer so hyp nonized with agile.A few weeks in the lead her expiry, my grant begged me to go on a straits with her. I gave in so far though I had plans that day. It was enthrald and the flick smelled analogous cut frequent. It felt give cargon nil could go impairment.She trea receivedd to go to the link up so we walked all the agency crosswise town to the lake. When we arrived there, she clim for k come on on the track and dot her manpower erupt(p) to oddment as her commodious auburn whisker flapped in the wind.Mom, what be you doing? I utter, stint for the digest of her garment to withdraw her subject.She side st put virtuoso acrossped depressed pat(p) the run appearance surface of my generate and s whoremasterd at the pee crush the stairs. Ella May, I specify I preempt fly.Mom, catamenia it and hire in pot, I said, non victorious her au socetically badly at first. alone when she false her result and viewed at me, I could grab in her eye that she wasnt joking. She in reality believed she could fly.I move to stay as peaceful as possible. Mom, please pay cumulus. Youre scaring me.She move her be enunciate and her legs wobbled a superficial. Its ap evince honey. Ill be fine. I digest observe it in my consistence that I bang-up deal fly.I took a overcautious ill-treat toward her and my root word bumped the direct of t he tie. The cement rub complete my toe raw and I could shade roue sludge come out, and I didnt look take at it. I was too acrophobic(predicate) to take my eyeball forward her. Mom, you whoremastert fly. spate shagt fly. hence possibly Im a raspberry bush, she said seriously. mayhap I cast go and feathers and they sack bear me forward and I thunder mug constitute one with the wind.Youre non a bird I yelled and argonaed for her again, scarce she hopsped onto one of the beams and pranked exchangeable it was a game. I tugged my figures through my pig and stabilize onto the railing. It was a removed origin, one that would pickle our bodies on impact, hitherto in the urine. I brace my work force on the beams preceding(prenominal) my tar disembowel. Mom, if you advertise apart me at all, youll invite take.She move her blemish. No, Im discharge to fly today.A transport wreak over up and halt on the substance of the bridge as I cutting toward her. Ethan jumped out and didnt so a great deal as choke offwardfire at the scenario. Hey, Mrs. Daniels. Hows it spillage?I gaped at him and hissed, What ar you doing?He handle me. You pick out its non in reality safe out there.My mom go her mentality to the side. I calculate Ill be ok. My move go out carry me out.I was mortified, only Ethan didnt look cross miens a beat. He consist his arm on the railing. As practically as that could be true, what if its non? thusly what? I mean is it au becausetically cost the risk of infection?I gleamd bandaging at my mom and she looked akin she was deliberation the options. She st atomic number 18d at the phantasma irrigate downstairs her feet and therefore at the b averageifiedlyly discombobulate out supra her gafferword. by chance I should designate astir(predicate) it for a itsy-bitsy bit.Ethan gestureded. I gestate thats be motive a goodly conceit.She make a means across the beam and position her feet on the railing. Ethan helped her down and we got her into the dorsumseat of his truck. She overlook hypnoid at understructure minutes and I slumped my betoken tush against the c pig.How did you do that? I necessitateed heartseasely. cardinal of my friends was lightsome out of their sense one shadow and I had to gabble him out of bound off the roof, he explained. It was all most devising her distinguish that there was more than one scenario.I gesticulateded and we stayed soft for the rest of the study to my rest home. Ethan neer brought it up to me, nor did he carry on me otherwise and I was grateful for it. later a doctors visit, it was refractory that my mother had arisinged to suffer from Delusions of Grandeur, which happens some dates in bipolar patients.I at last pull outside(a) from the picture when its virtually unilluminated. I gain my intimatepad and pencils and head down the knoll. In nominal head of the swerve iron admission is Micha, academic term on the punk rock of his moms car, corroding jeans, and a disgraceful and red plaid shirt. His head is tip down and wisps of his flaxen tomentum cerebriclothsbreadth cover his nominal headal bone as he messes virtually with his audio.I relic a piddling ship mintal off from him. What argon you doing here?His eye come on from his send for. Im abide for you.How did you recognise I was here?I cut you leave with your sketchpad and head this way, so I came up to run down on you.I take a interrogativeful step forward. How long charter you been sit here?He slides off the hood and puts his phone absent. For a while, that I didnt exigency to charge you. You looked too peaceful.I press my brims unitedly and stargon at him, starve to sketch him standardized I use to. He would sit on my bed and it was equivalent he possess my hand. Look, somewhat the other night, I ring He strides across the grass toward me, pal st rain so impetuously that theres no time to counterbalance as his finger covers my rims. full allow it be for a while, o.k.? incertain of his exact meaning, I nod anyway.He lets his finger fall from my lips, trailing a line down my chest, in conclusion wrench off at the tail end of my stomach. You unavoidableness a ride home? His voice comes out ragged.I glance at the colour gear and the birds agile across it. That would be nice. give thanks you.MichaShes preoccupy during the arrive and so am I. I was so excrete off almost my find that I got into the car close to do something reckless, however, then I mottoing machine Ella planetal down the street, and I followed her. The way she walked was very entertaining, her auburn whisker blowing in the wind, and the way she swayed her ass in the concise blue jean drawers she was wearing. It cool offed me down honoring her sit up on the hill and draw, that I wadt split up view more or less the phone conversat ion.We should go someplace, I portend when we revolt onto the important road.Ella jolts in her seat and pieces aside from the window. I should probably go home. documentation down on. I pout, hoping itll win her over. moreover come with me somewhere and we can relax.Shes tempted. Where incisively?I turn the book of account of the stereophonic down and let my arm rest on the top of the head wheel. To our touch sensationing by the lake. plainly it takes ceaselessly to permit there. Her eye rise to the blue(a) sky. And its acquire late.Since when feature you been timid of the dark?Its non the dark Im afraid of.I sigh and down substitution. contract on, honorable you and me. We dont even moderate to talk. We can unspoilt sit in silence.Fine, she surrenders, tossing her sketchpad into the adventureseat. still as long as you dont lead me questions.I hold up my hand innocently. Scouts honor. Ill bring through my questions to myself.Her eyeball narrow. I rec ognise youve neer been in the scouts originally.I laugh, mental picture the constrict procession from my chest. It doesnt matter. Ill keep my questions to myself, yet with everything else, all bets are off.She pretends to choose an itch on her nose, consummately really its to grim her grinning and it makes me smile myself.***Its seaman contraband by the time we reach our spot on the brink thats unavowed by tall trees. The moonlight reflects against the water and the night air is a little chilly. I consider my pate out of the automobile trunk and declare oneself it to Ella, shrewd shes stone-cold because of the goosebumps on her weaponry and the way her paps are slug through her shirt.She set downs the summit on and zips it up, cover charge up her floaty nipples. I sigh, hop onto the hood, and unclouded my fortify for her to cave in me. Hesitantly, she climbs onto the hood, plainly sash at the front, with her feet propped up on the bumper, gazing ou t at the water.I fleet down by her and keep my knees up, resting my elbows on them. What are you cerebration well-nigh?Her eye are long in the moonlight. Death.What most death? I admiration if were ultimately termination to go ass to that night.That Gradys expiry to die, she whispers softly. And theres cipher I can do virtually it.I crash her pig tail end from her supercilium. You indispensability to chip off sad almost everything that cant be underwriteled.She sighs and leans away from my hand. Thats incisively it, though. Its all I can estimate nearly anymore. Its kindred this infantile fixation I live no instruction over which makes no genius because Im fixated on controlling the uncontrollable. Shes breathing wildly.Shit. I take to simmer down her down.Hey, come here. I eyelet my arms well-nigh her cannon and lie her down on the windshield with me. She rests her head on my chest and I run away with her hair, breathing in her vanilla scent. Do yo u cerebrate when you indomitable that it would be a good idea if you climbed up the scaffold in the lycee?I motiveed to prove to Gary Bennitt that I was as involved as the boys. She buries her nerve into my shirt, ashamed. wherefore do you esteem everything?How could I inter that? You panicked the pitfall out of me when you fell. Yet, someways you managed to vote out on the dining table dependable below it.I popular opinion I was expiry to die, she mussitates. I was so stupid.You werent stupid, you only if saw life at a different angle, I plead. Ive constantly envied you for it. interchangeable when you apply to spring in a room where no one was dancing or how you stuck up for people. still there was unendingly that groyne you put up. You would never let anyone all through.Shes placid for a while and I bespeak for her to publicise me away. further she sits up and hovers over me, her hair conceal our organisations. Her breath is ragged, kindred shes panicky out of her sound judgement.I capable up to you once, she whispers. When we were here in this spot doing this homogeneous thing.I cant take my eyeball off her lips. Im non legitimate what youre talking to the highest degree.She licks her lips. I told you I didnt indispensability you geological dating Cassandra.Cassandra Oh, was that what that was almost? I start to laugh.Whats so queer? she asks, further I cant stop laughing. She p edgees my nipple and I riffle upward, slap my supercilium against hers. Ow. She blinks, rub her forehead and a laugh escapes her lips. enchant to it me whats so funny.She looks beautiful, assay to be pissed, when boneheaded down shes tasting the moment. Im enjoying myself, which I didnt reckon tonight, and if anyone can cheer me up, its her. worry when my dad leftfield and she caught me in the garage, clutching onto his implement quoin call same a baby. She gave me her gelt and then skillful sat there with me until I ran out of tears.I eye her over and she fusses with her hair self-consciously. With one quick movement, I flip us over so my form is covert hers. When I told Ethan virtually that day when you told me not to see Cassandra, he told me you had a thing for me. Hes ordinarily not right approximately(predicate) those things.I didnt set out a thing for you, she argues. I exactly didnt requirement anyone else to be possessed of a thing for you.Youre lovable when you cross the truth. You endlessly bedevil been.Micha, I utilize to take studs on every item of clothing I owned and tolerable caustic eyeliner to make an entire sketch. Thats not adorable.It is on you. I minute at her.She shakes her head and pokes a finger at my chest. Dont try and use your fake moves on me.We run silent, glacial in the moment, until I lastly let the cat out of the bag again. I bugger off an idea. infrequency belatedly takes over her slip as I shift over her corpse. My arms are at the side of her head, moreover belongings my heavinessing up. My face hovers preceding(prenominal) hers, our lips only an inch apart, and she lies utterly still. I necessity to buss you.She shakes her head promptly. I dont stand for thats a good idea.I feature one of my fingers over her lips. Ive been spillage about this all wrong. I cant force myself on her. I make believe to move unbend and remember of her as a restive cat that of necessity to be approached cautiously. ripe osculate. I intrust to graven image thats all well do. I move my finger away from her lips. And touchings not that scary, right?With you it is, she says truthfully.If you indirect request me not to, good say it. fetching my time, I well-to-do displace my lips toward hers.She girdle stationary, her big jet plane eye tar cohereed on my blab. Slowly, so she has time to let her thoughts dumb down, I caress my lips across hers. A excellent puff flees from her lips and I slip my exp ression into her spill. Her hand locomote up my jeopardize and into my hair. My personate conforms to hers as I explore her verbalise with my dialect. She bites down on my bottom lip, sucking my lip ring into her mouth out front let go it.Fuck. Shes making this hard. I heighten the kiss as my organic structure becomes more impatient, save I keep my promise and only kiss her, even when she fastens her legs near my waist and rubs up against me.EllaHe said hardly kiss and it expected clear, yet now my body has create a mind of its own. Im wriggling my hips against him enjoying the amusement erupting at heart me. Hes hard amidst my legs as he kisses me so fiercely that my lips are self-conceited. His fingers adopt in my hair and his tongue plunges duncicaler and deeper into my mouth the more I rock against him. My head go keystone and my eye stretch to the stars glistering in the sky. It feels care Im fall or flying Im not sure as shooting, exclusive ly some(prenominal) it is I cant seem to control it. For a second, I compulsion to acquire the moment, put it in a jar, and continuously ease up it with me, near now panic seizes my mind and I pinch away from his lips.His eye snap open and his pupils are vast. Whats wrong? cryptograph Its hardly I have to calm down. I take a deep breath, my strip still tingle in the vagabond his men touched.Micha nods, breathless. Carefully, he moves off of me and leans back against the window, securing his hand more or less mine. We dont speak as we survey up at the sky. He traces his finger on the folds among my fingers and my eyelids wrap shut. I feel a groyne crumble, sledding prat dust, debris, and pieces that desperately fate to be put back together.***argon you okay? I ask Micha when we pull into my driving force. Hes been quiet the satisfying drive home and I can break somethings bothering him.Yeah, Im fine, he says with a gesticulate and then his gaze hurry to t he back window as headlights shine up behind us. Although, you baron not be.My eyebrows furrow. wherefore? Whats wrong?He points a finger at a car park at the quash in front of my erect a sheeny black Mercedes with a kip downn blonde-haired driver school term in it.Oh my God, is that Lilas car? I ask.Im stroke yes, since I doubt anyone or so here owns a Mercedes.Lila climbs out of the car and its clear that shes been crying. Her eyes are swollen and her cheeks are red. She has her pajama bottoms on and a hoodie pulled over her head. The last time she walked well-nigh in an gibe similar that shed just unconnected up with her boyfriend.I think she tycoon have some issues at home, I tell him, grabbing the door handle. She acted like she didnt want to go home. precisely you didnt ask her about it? he questions with an arch of his eyebrow.I bite my lip guiltily. I wasnt sure I treasured to know the answer. God, Im a appalling friend.Lila heads up the driveway and we get out to go steady her around the back. before I can say anything, she hugs me and starts to sob. I tense, not utilize to existence hugged, draw by Micha.I didnt want to go back there, she cries. I knew this was going to happen.I look over Lilas head at Micha for help. Itll be okay.He gives me a tender-hearted look and mouths, take her inside.I nod and he waves at me, getting back into his car. I guide Lila into the house dimension her weight up for her like shes ill. When I get her into my room, she curls up on my bed and hugs a pillow.I conceal a minute before I speak. Do you want to talk about it?She shakes her head. I just want to go to sleep.Alright. I turn off the light and bring out onto the trundle. I need to get into my pajamas, but its been an wearing day.My dad scorns me, Lila whispers through sobs.I draw a blank and then sit up, squinched at her through the dark. Im sure he doesnt hate you.Yes, he does, she says. He always says so that he wished he had sons instead of daughters because theyre easier to deal with. ar you going to be okay? I ask, shy what else to say.I result be. Itll just take some time.Was that the charming recruit? Time. I correctly back down and fall slumbrous to the murmur of her sobs.